Wednesday, May 10, 2006

STUNNER...

Judge J. Michael Luttig, one of the country's most prominent conservativejurists and once considered a likely Supreme Court nominee, has resigned fromthe Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., to become senior vicepresident and general counsel for the BoeingCo. in Chicago.

Last year, as two vacancies appeared on the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Luttig waswidely reported to be on the White House short list, and his candidacy wastouted by former clerks who had gone on to influential positions in the currentBush administration. But the positions ultimately went to two fellow alumni ofthe Reagan Justice Department, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice SamuelAlito. People close to the selection process said that it was unlikely PresidentBush would consider Judge Luttig for any future vacancies, as politicalimperatives all but precluded nomination of another white male for the highcourt.

Luttig was/is one of the biggest icons of the Federalist Society/conservative judicial philosophy. It appears that, seeing his best chances for the high court gone, he has decided to go in another direction. I have no idea if that is his actual motivation - but it is a reasonable possibility. In any case, it's a terribly interesting decision. And a BIG shock.